LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brits loathe serial sniffers, with 57% of people admitting that they find continual sniffing the most irritating habit during the cold and flu season, according to research commissioned by KLEENEX® and conducted by the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC).

Four times as many people found sniffing the most irritating habit compared to nose blowing (15%) and sneezing (13%), with the 18-24 age group the biggest cause of serial sniffing irritation.

A quarter of people also admitted they disliked being next to someone who was sneezing or blowing their nose and more than one-in-five (22%) said they would actively move away from someone who was sneezing.

However, a quarter of those polled, also confessed they enjoyed nothing better than a big sneeze or a ‘let it outer’.

As part of the study, KLEENEX® carried out observational research and found that serial sniffing accounted for a third of all observations recorded, even though when questioned, very few people actually admitted to serial sniffing in public.

More than a third of serial sniffers were observed on public transport frustrating commuters with their endless sniffling!

SIRC also looked into sneezing and nose blowing behaviour and found that men like to blow it out while women like to keep it in. Yes, men are blowers and women are squeakers!

Three times as many men as women (30% vs 10%) admitted to being explosive sneezers preferring to ‘let it all out’ rather than hold it in.

While twice as many women as men confessed to being implosive or ‘mousey’ sneezers – trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, by letting out a ‘small, stifled sound’ such as a high pitched squeak.

Also, it’s official! men sneeze louder than women, with men registering 3.35 on the sneeze-o-meter, compared to 2.94 for women (on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is very quiet and 5 is very loud!).

The UK wide study identified five specific sneezing and nose blowing typologies, each carrying their own style and individual traits

  • Serial Sniffers
  • Let it Outer
  • Mousey Sneezer
  • Paranoid Examiner
  • Ceaseless sneezer

Twice as many women as men (20% vs 10%) confessed to being a ‘paranoid examiner’ constantly concerned about the ‘remnants’ from their sneezing or nose blowing.

This is somewhat surprising, as the research revealed that almost one in five men check the contents of their handkerchiefs or tissues after sneezing or blowing – clearly curiosity not paranoia!

Finally, the research revealed that the UK is a nation of apologizers when it comes to sneezing and nose blowing. Seven out of ten (69%) of us would make a verbal comment such as “Excuse me” after sneezing and more than half (53%) instinctively making a comment such as ‘Bless you” when someone else sneezes.

Kate Fox, social anthropologist and co-director of the Social Issues Research Centre, says: “Serial sniffers were revealed as the most annoying typology to Brits but a quarter of us also enjoy nothing better than letting it all out!”

Dr Mark Hamilton, says: “Commuters, for example, who are in close proximity to others can potentially infect large groups of people, which is why it’s imperative to carry a tissue when sneezing and nose blowing, disposing of it frequently after each use and then washing your hands.”

For more information from KLEENEX® check out www.LetItOut.com